Golf swing training device

ABSTRACT

The golf swing training device provides tactile feedback to golf players practicing their swings. The golf swing trainer provides a first, generally horizontal guide arm positioned at a height above the ground so that in the lower portion of the arc of a proper golf swing, the head of the golf club will pass below the first guide arm without making contact with the arm. When the arc of the golf swing deviates from the ideal arc, the golf club will strike a portion of the first guide arm, providing tactile feedback that the swing was improper. A second guide perpendicular to the first guide may be provided. The angle of the second guide may be adjusted to match the plane of the swing during a proper golf stroke. The second guide will be struck by golf club swung with an improper shaft angle, providing tactile feedback to the golfer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/726,235, filed Oct. 14, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to sports training equipment, and moreparticularly to a golf swing training device intended to teach a propermethod of swinging a golf club.

2. Description of the Related Art

Golf is a popular sport played by amateurs and professionals. Avidgolfers typically carry a set of golf clubs in a carrying bag or golfbag. Each golf club in the set is adapted for use in a relatively narrowvariety of situations and lies that might be encountered while playinggolf on a golf course. For example, a golfer may carry an assortment ofclubs called woods, which are primarily designed for long distanceshots, an assorted of clubs called irons for playing shots ofintermediate to short distances, and specialty clubs adapted forparticular situations. The specialty clubs may include a putter for useon the greens or a sand wedge for playing the ball in sandy areas, suchas in a sand trap. Most avid players find that playing golf well isrelaxing and enjoyable, while playing golf poorly is a frustrating andless pleasurable experience.

An important part of mastering the game of golf is learning how toproperly swing each of the golf clubs. Developing a proper swingtechnique requires repetitive practice so that the golfer develops afeel for a proper swing. It is important that the elements of thegolfer's swing be performed correctly during practice so that the “feel”developed during practice be correlated with a proper swing, rather thana faulty swing. The player then seeks to generate the same “feel” whenplaying an actual game of golf.

The elements of a proper swing include swinging the club so that theclub head travels in the proper arc during the upswing and on thedownswing, and holding the club at a proper angle during the swing.Swinging the club head in the proper swing arc insures that a struckgolf ball flies in the desired direction and path. With an improper arcthe golfer may produce a golf shot with an uncontrolled hook or slice,causing the ball to travel in an unintended direction.

Watching the flight of the golf ball after striking the ball providesvisual feedback to the golfer as to whether his golf swing is proper,but the feedback is not specific to a particular facet of the swing. Animproper flight may result from an improper stance while striking thegolf ball, from holding the club at an improper angle, from an improperswing plane, and/or from a number of other causes. Without specificfeedback, a golfer may not be able to make the proper correction to hisswing technique.

Striking a golf ball requires the golfer to focus visually on the ball,using hand-eye coordination to direct the club at the ball. Because thefocus of the golfer is fixed exclusively on the ball, the golfer cannotreadily observe the plane of his golf swing or the angle of his golfclub while striking a golf ball.

A golfer might employ a second person, such as a golf-teachingprofessional, to observe his swing and to provide feedback on anydetected improper swing elements. While the feedback from an observerwould allow the golfer to practice the correct swing, employing a golfteaching professional may be expensive, since the professional expectsto be paid for his time. The golfer may also wish to schedule hispractice around his or her own free time, which may be incompatible withthe availability of a teaching professional.

A training device that detects an improper swing and provides tactilefeedback to the golfer would allow the golfer to understand when hisswing is improper without distracting the golfer's vision from the golfball during the swing. A device that is adjustable for practicing theswing arcs and swing planes for swinging different clubs would allow thegolfer to practice his swing using any of the clubs he carries. Thetraining device might be adjusted based on a teaching professional'sadvice, but once adjusted, no further interaction with the professionalwould be needed, thus allowing flexible and cost effective practicesessions. Further, a training device that could be compactly foldedwould allow the device to be stored in a golf bag for easy transport toa golf course, driving range or other practice facility.

Thus, a golf swing training device solving the aforementioned problemsis desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The golf swing training device provides tactile feedback to golferspracticing their swings. The golf swing training device, also referredto herein as a “swing trainer,” provides a first, generally horizontal(but angularly adjustable) guide arm positioned at a height above theground so that in the lower portion of the arc of a proper golf swing,the head of the golf club will pass below the first guide arm withoutmaking contact with the arm. When the arc of the golf swing deviatesfrom the ideal arc, the golf club will strike a portion of the firstguide arm, providing tactile feedback that the swing was improper. Asecond guide perpendicular to the first guide may be provided. The angleof the second guide may be adjusted to a desired angle with the ground,corresponding to the angle of the plane of the swing arc as the golferswings the club. The second guide is positioned so that it will bestruck if the angle of the shaft of the golf club is improper during theswing.

The arc swing guides are covered with a resilient material, such asopen- or closed-cell plastic foam, foam rubber, or the like thatpartially absorbs the shock of an impact with a golf club. Absorbingsome of the energy from the collision with the golf club reduces thetransmission of shock to the golfer.

The arc swing guide arm is releasably attached to the frame of the swingtraining device so that additional energy from an impact from a golfclub is dissipated in releasing the guide arm from the frame, thusreducing the possibility of damaging the swing trainer. The arc swingguide arm is tethered to the swing trainer so that the guide arm doesnot end up a distance away from the swing trainer when struck by a golfclub.

These and other features of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of a golf swing trainingdevice according to the present invention as seen from above, showingthe arcuate swing path of a golf club head with the device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the golf swing training device, showingthe resilient attachment of the first and second guide arms thereto.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a golf swingtraining device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of a golfswing training device according to the present invention, with a curvedswing arc training arm.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of a golfswing training device according to the present invention, having amagnetic latch.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a golf swing training deviceaccording to the present invention, referred to generally as 20 in thedrawings. FIGS. 3 and 4 describe a second embodiment of a golf swingtraining device according to the present invention, referred togenerally as 70 in the drawings.

Referring first to FIG. 1, the use of the golf swing training device 20may be understood. The golf swing trainer includes two swing guide arms36 and 48. The first arm 36 is disposed generally horizontally, but isadjustably secured to the remainder of the device 20. The first arm 36provides a training guide for verifying a correct swing arc. Cylindricalpadded sleeves 38 and 40 may be installed respectively over the firstand second arms 36 and 48. Preferably the sleeves 38 and 40 are made ofa resilient material, such as open- or closed-cell foam plastic, foamrubber, etc., so that impacts between the swung golf club G and theguides do not result in pain or injury to the golfer or to damage to theswing trainer 20.

In use the height and position of the first swing guide arm 36 ispositioned so that the lower edge of the first swing guide arm 36 isaligned just above the proper swing arc S for the golfer. When a golferattempts to swing a golf club G underneath the first swing guide arm 36,deviation from the proper swing arc S will cause the head or otherportion of the club to strike the first swing guide arm 36, or itspadded cover 38, providing tactile feedback to the golfer of an improperswing.

The second arm 48, which is attached to the first arm via a 90° elbow44, is provided as an aid for verifying that the angle of the shaft ofthe golf club G during a swing is proper. The angle B of the second arm48 with the ground is adjusted to match the optimum club shaft angle Afor obtaining a proper stroke. Because this angle A may vary dependingon the height and stance of a particular golfer and on the specific clubG, the angle B is adjustable as described below.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the golf swing training device 20includes a base for supporting the training device on a supportingsurface, such as the ground. The base comprises a holding body 22adapted to hold two horizontal support legs 24, disposed normal to oneanother. The support legs 24 are cylindrically-shaped and made of arigid material. For example, the legs 24 may be constructed ofschedule-40 or schedule-80 polyvinyl chloride (PVC) piping. The legs 24may have a hollow interior, with the interior being filled with ballast,such as sand or lead shot, to provide stability and support for theupper portions of the apparatus. Alternatively, the legs 24 and holdingbase 22 may be made of a sufficiently heavy material for providing therequired stability and support to the swing trainer components duringuse. The legs 24 are removably journaled into the base holding body 22,allowing the legs to be removed for storing or transporting the golfswing training device 20. The legs 24 may be attached by any removablemeans. For example, the legs 24 may thread into thread receiving jointsin the base holding body 22.

A first guide arm support post 26 has a lower end pivotally affixed tothe base 22, and extends upwardly therefrom. The support post 26 maycomprise a pipe elbow or other suitable structure or component. Anintermediate strut extends from the top of the support post 26, theintermediate strut comprising two portions 27 a and 27 b, which mayrotate relative to one another. An elongate bolt or other means mayextend coaxially through the strut portions 27 a and 27 b to hold themfrictionally together so that their relative rotational positions remainas desired after being set. A 90° pipe elbow 28 is attached to the endof strut component 27 b. A second guide arm support post 30 extends frompipe elbow 28 at the end of the second end portion 27 b of theintermediate strut assembly. A guide arm attachment strut 32 has a firstend 42 pivotally secured to the upper end of the second support post 30,and an opposite second end 34. The second end 34 comprises a fitting towhich the golf club swing guide arm assembly, comprising the first andsecond arms 36 and 48, is attached.

The relatively rotating components 27 a and 27 b of the intermediatestrut assembly allow the support post 30 and all structure extendingtherefrom to rotate about the axis of the intermediate strut, i.e.,about an axis that is defined by components 27 a and 27 b and that issubstantially parallel to the ground so that attachment strut 32describes a horizontally oriented cylindrical arc when the device isrotated around intermediate strut components 27 a, 27 b, as indicated bythe rotational directional arrow R in FIG. 2. This allows the height ofthe guide arm attachment strut 32, and thus the guide arms 36 and 48, tobe adjusted relative to the underlying surface to provide more or lessroom for the passage of the head of the golf club therebeneath, sincethe second end 34 of attachment strut 32 describes a circle in avertical plane as intermediate strut 27 a, 27 b is rotated. Thus,greater or less precision may be required of the golfer using thepresent device, as desired.

The guide arm attachment strut 32 is rotatably attached at its first end42 to the upper end of the second guide arm support post 30. Therotatable attachment of the guide arm attachment strut 32 allows theangle relative to the ground of the first and second guide arms 36 and48 supported by the guide arm attachment strut 32 to be adjusted.

Details of the method of supporting guide arms 48 and 36 from the guidearm attachment strut 32 may be appreciated by referring to FIG. 2. Thefirst arm 36 is supported by the strut 32 via an open journal joint orsemicircular bracket attached to the second or distal end 34 of thestrut 32. The first arm 36 is held against the open journal bytensioning of an elastic cord 50, such as a bungee cord, inside of thestrut 32. This elastic attachment means allows the first arm 36, and itsattached second arm 48, to be pulled out of the open journal joint toallow the first arm 36 to be reversed for use by both left-handed andright handed golfers. The elastic attachment arrangement also provides adegree of resilience to absorb shock when one of the guide arms 36 or 48is struck by a golfer's club during a swing. One end of the elastic cord50 is attached to the first arm 36, while the opposite end is attachedto a member of the swing trainer frame, such as to the elbow at firstend 42 of attachment strut 42. Alternatively, the cord 50 may beextended through the elbow or strut first end 42 to terminate at thelower end of the second support post 30, thus concealing the anchor knotor end which would otherwise be visible extending from the elbow orstrut first end 42.

An alternate embodiment of a golf swing training device 70 in accordancewith the current invention may be understood by referring to FIGS. 3 and4. The base and support members for the golf swing training device 20,including the base holding body 22, legs 24, first support post 26, pipeelbow 28, second support post 30, pivoting strut or post ends or joints27 a, 27 b, and 42, and the guide arm attachment strut 32, arestructurally and functionally identical to that of the first embodimentdescribed above and shown in FIG. 1 and 2.

The guide of the second embodiment of the golf swing trainer device 70comprises a single guide arm 60. A padded sleeve 64 may be slid over anend of the single guide arm 60, as shown in FIG. 3, or a pair of sleeves64 and 76 may be provided, as shown in FIG. 4, with each sleeve 64, 76slidably disposed over the opposite first and second ends of thehorizontal guide arm 60. When a single swing guide 60 is provided, asshown in FIG. 3, a removable cap 62 may be placed over the unused end ofthe guide arm 60.

The golf swing training device 70, provided with only horizontal swingarc guides, allows the golfer to rehearse the proper arc for a golfswing, receiving tactile feedback when the arc is improper and the golfclub strikes a swing guide. As shown in FIG. 4, a swing arc guide 60 maybe straight or may be curved to follow the arc of a perfect golf swing.The use of an elongate swing arc guide 60 having opposite first andsecond end portions allows verification that the head of the golf clubis following the proper swing curve over an extended portion of agolfer's swing.

Referring to FIG. 4, the use of the embodiment of the golf swingtraining device 70 will be described. The swing trainer 70 is shown asused by a right-handed golfer. The golfer's ideal down swing would passfirst underneath the curved swing arc guide sleeve 76, then under thestraight swing arc guide 64 and would exit the guide path of the trainerat an unattached end of the straight swing arc guide sleeve 64. A tassel74 is attached to the end of the guide and hangs into the path of thegolfer's swing under the swing arc guides. A properly swung club willstrike the tassel 74, providing tactile feedback to the golfer that thehead of the golf club followed the proper swing.

An alternative means of supporting the swing arc guide arm 60 may beappreciated by referring to FIG. 5. A length of cord 80 acts as a tetherto prevent the guide arm 60 from flying away from the swing trainer ifstruck during a golf swing. The guide arm 60 is held within the openjournal joint at second end 34 of attachment strut 32 with a releasablelatch. The releasable latch comprises a ferrous plate 84 attached to thesurface of the open journal joint. A magnet 86 mounted in the interiorof the guide arm 60 holds the guide arm 60 in position by magneticattraction to the ferrous plate 84. The tethering cord 80 is attached tothe structure of the swing trainer. The tethering cord 80 may be securedto the trainer using a releasable fastener, such as a knot 82, allowingthe guide arm 60 to be removed and replaced if damaged, or if analternate guide arm system, such as the guide system depicted in FIG. 1and 2, is used.

An alternative releasable latch may be used in place of the magneticplate and magnet arrangement. For example, the open journal joint atsecond end 34 may engage the horizontal arm 60 with a releasablefriction fit. Another alternative extends the cord 80 through the centerof the end elbow 42 to be secured at the bottom end of the column 30,thereby concealing the securing knot 82. The described embodimentdetails a number of components as being releasably or removably attachedto allow for a compact arrangement for storage or transport. In analternative embodiment, any of these component attachments may befixedly attached.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

1. A golf swing training device, comprising: a base adapted for groundmounting; a first guide arm support post having a lower end fixed to thebase and an upper end opposite the lower end, the upper end being normalto the lower end; an intermediate strut having a first end portion fixedto the upper end of the first guide arm support post and a rotatablesecond end portion extending from the first end portion thereof, theintermediate strut extending parallel to the base; a second guide armsupport post attached to the second end portion of the intermediatestrut; a guide arm attachment strut having a first end pivotallyattached to the second guide arm support post and a second end oppositethe first end, the guide arm attachment strut extending normal to thesecond guide arm support post; and a golf club swing guide arm assemblyextending from the second end of the guide arm attachment strut; whereinsaid second guide arm support post is rotatable with the second endportion of the intermediate strut in order to adjust the height of theswing guide arm assembly above the ground.
 2. The golf swing trainingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the golf club swing guide armassembly comprises a swing guide arm pivotally attached to saidattachment strut and a swing plane arm disposed normal to the swingguide arm.
 3. The golf swing training device according to claim 1,wherein the golf club swing guide arm assembly includes a curved firstswing guide arm end and a straight second swing guide arm end disposedgenerally opposite the first swing guide arm end.
 4. The golf swingtraining device according to claim 1, further including padding coveringthe swing guide arm assembly.
 5. The golf swing training deviceaccording to claim 1, further including a swing indicator tasselextending from the swing guide arm.
 6. The golf swing training deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising an elastic tether attachedbetween the golf club swing guide arm assembly and the second end of theguide arm attachment strut and a magnetic latch attached to the golfclub swing guide arm assembly and the second end of the guide armattachment strut, whereby the swing guide arm assembly remains tetheredto the base when the magnetic latch is released by an errant golf swing.7. The golf swing training device according to claim 1, wherein the basecomprises a weighted first leg and a weighted second leg generallynormal to the first leg.
 8. A golf swing training device, comprising: abase adapted for ground placement; a swing guide arm support assemblyextending upward from the base, the swing guide arm support assemblyhaving a first end attached to the base and a second end opposite thefirst end; a golf club swing guide arm assembly pivotally attached to,and extending from, the second end of the swing guide arm supportassembly, the golf club swing guide arm assembly having a swing guidearm and a swing plane arm disposed normal to the swing guide arm.
 9. Thegolf swing training device according to claim 8, wherein the swing guidearm support assembly comprises: a first guide arm support post having alower end fixed to the base and an upper end opposite the lower end, theupper end extending normal to the lower end; an intermediate struthaving a first end portion fixed to the upper end of the first guide armsupport post and a rotatable second end portion extending from the firstend portion thereof, the intermediate strut extending parallel to thebase; a second guide arm support post attached to the second end portionof the intermediate strut, the second guide arm support post beingrotatable with the intermediate strut in order to adjust the height ofthe a golf club swing guide arm assembly; and a guide arm attachmentstrut having a first end pivotally attached to the second guide armsupport post and a second end opposite the first end, the attachmentstrut extending normal to the second guide arm support post, said swingguide arm assembly being pivotally attached to the second end of theattachment strut, the attachment strut being pivotal in order to alignthe swing guide arm generally parallel to the ground and the swing planearm at an angle with respect to the ground to correspond to a desiredgolf swing angle.
 10. The golf swing training device according to claim9, further comprising an elastic tether attached between the golf clubswing guide arm assembly and the second end of the guide arm attachmentstrut and a magnetic latch attached to the golf club swing guide armassembly and the second end of the guide arm attachment strut, wherebythe swing guide arm assembly remains tethered to the base when themagnetic latch is released by an errant golf swing.
 11. The golf swingtraining device according to claim 8, further including padding coveringthe swing guide arm and the swing plane arm.
 12. The golf swing trainingdevice according to claim 8, further including a swing indicator tasselextending from the swing guide arm.
 13. The golf swing training deviceaccording to claim 8, wherein the base comprises a weighted first legand a weighted second leg generally normal to the first leg.
 14. A golfswing training device, comprising: a base adapted for ground mounting; aswing guide arm support assembly extending from the base, the swingguide arm support assembly having a first end affixed to the base and anelongate attachment strut defining a second end opposite the first end;a golf club swing guide arm assembly extending from the second end ofthe swing guide arm support assembly, the golf club swing guide armassembly having at least one swing guide arm pivotally attached to, anddisposed normal to, the attachment strut of the swing guide arm supportassembly; and an elastic tether attached between the golf club swingguide arm assembly and the attachment strut, whereby the swing guide armassembly remains tethered to the base when the swing guide arm assemblyis detached from the attachment strut by an errant golf swing.
 15. Thegolf swing training device according to claim 14, wherein the swingguide arm support assembly further comprises: a first guide arm supportpost having a lower end fixed to the base, and an upper end opposite thelower end, the upper end extending normal to the lower end; anintermediate strut having a first end portion fixed to the upper end ofthe first guide arm support post and a rotatable second end portionextending from the first end portion thereof, the intermediate strutextending parallel to said base; and a second guide arm support postattached to the second end portion of the intermediate strut, the secondguide arm support post being rotatable with the second end portion ofthe intermediate strut in order to adjust the height of said swing armassembly above the ground, said elongate attachment strut having a firstend pivotally attached to the second guide arm support post and a secondend opposite the first end.
 16. The golf swing training device accordingto claim 14, wherein the golf club swing guide arm assembly has a curvedfirst swing guide arm end and a straight second swing guide arm enddisposed generally opposite the first swing guide arm end.
 17. The golfswing training device according to claim 16, further including paddingcovering each of the swing guide arm ends.
 18. The golf swing trainingdevice according to claim 16, further including a swing indicator tasselextending from the second swing guide arm end.
 19. The golf swingtraining device according to claim 14, further comprising a magneticlatch assembly attached to said swing guide arm assembly and saidattachment strut.